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Posted on: Nov 05, 2007
Gears of War
WORDS BY: Dan Amrich
FEARS OF WAR
Against the Locust Horde, you’ll need everything in your arsenal. The bird-like Kryll attack only in the dark: step into a shadow, and they’ll swoop in and rip you to shreds. The unholy guttural shriek of the monkey-like Wretches will haunt you, and fighting a terrifying Berserker — which can smell and hear you but not see you — forces you to deny all your finely honed gamer instincts: move slowly, don’t go in with guns blazing, and don’t count on a hot turkey dinner to appear on the ground if you need help. Monster attacks offer many shocking moments, but the game has little in the way of true tension: they’re mostly guy-in-a-mask-jumps-out-at-you kind of freakouts.
The horror-movie vibe crosses over to the orchestral soundtrack, which subtly mixes a spooky score with the soaring strains you’d find in an action flick — perfect for Gears’ meaty blend of those two genres. You’ll also hear lots of grunts and growls, but keep your ear tuned for some excellent dialogue from the boys in Delta Squad. There’s some priceless banter, bolstered by strong voice-over performances. Bitchy Baird is entertaining even as he whines, and ex–pro athlete/comic relief Cole steals every scene he’s in.
LOOKING FOR CLUES
If we have any complaint with Gears of War, it’s this: While Halo may be drowning in its deep lore, Gears seems to just doggy-paddle. Dom mentions offhandedly that he’s looking for someone, but we never find out who or why. Fenix’s trial is recalled as “a sham” — how come? We know some of the Locust conflict revolves around the gooey underground power source Imulsion — do they fight to reclaim what was taken by the arrogant “groundwalkers”? Maybe we’re not supposed to know — maybe Gears is a post-9/11 fable, where devastating attacks from unknown enemies can happen instantly without comfortable logic to explain them away. But the intentional tease of incomplete information begs a question: Is Gears of War subtle, multilayered art...or just a victim of lousy storytelling?
The single-player campaign — which absolutely will not be spoiled here! — should take about 12 hours on Hardcore and a few hours less on Casual, but even designer Cliff Bleszinski (see sidebar) admits that Insane difficulty is basically built for cooperative play. Whether you choose to tromp through the ruins of Sera with a friend (online or split-screen) or rally pals for a four-on-four fracas, Gears of War’s multiplayer options will light up Live from now on. Warzone offers team deathmatch, while Execution mode requires that you finish off enemies with a head-smashing, X-button curb-stomp (though a friendly teammate can revive them with the same button if they reach their comrade first).
Assassination challenges each team to keep their leader safe — but only the chief can pick up the best weapons. (This goes back to the chess analogy: If you have a king and pawns, guess who’s expendable?) The 10 maps are just as detailed and rich as the campaign environments; our favorites include a fuel depot, a cemetery/mausoleum, and a series of bridges over a canal. All the rhythmic rules of engagement from the campaign apply in versus games; Halo players who can’t downshift will run-and-gun directly into deft sidesteps and melee strikes. Combat evolved, indeed.
WHAT LIES BENEATH
Though Gears of War’s story poses more questions than it answers, that shouldn’t distract you from delving into the game’s weighty and rewarding mechanics: the deeper you dig, the more satisfying the gameplay becomes. And who knew those flashy graphics, which are easily the best that 360 has mustered yet, would just be the icing on top? From the deliberate combat pacing to Sera’s ruined surface to grizzled hero Marcus Fenix himself, one thing remains true throughout the brilliant Gears of War: It’s what’s inside that counts.
PREVOn Xbox 360
- Believe the hype: 2006’s killer app delivers on its promises.
- Well-balanced multiplayer will drive Live for months.
- Piecing together shreds of plot yields only tattered answers.
- Why do smart enemies announce they’re reloading?
Sat, 10/17/2009 - 20:43
Posted by wickland
Looks like a fun and enjoyable experience. Gears of War is great.
Mon, 07/27/2009 - 07:21
Posted by gameguruu
I love
pools of blood and weapon kgs
Wed, 02/04/2009 - 18:46
Posted by shweet117
This game is better than the sequal in my opinion
[url=http://profile.mygamercard.net/shweet117][img]http://card.mygamercard.net/lastgame/shweet117.png[/img][/url]
Wed, 10/29/2008 - 14:35
Posted by ReaperXD
Dam good score but Im way better
Tue, 10/14/2008 - 15:33
Posted by EarlessDiablo
Can't wait till number 2!
Tue, 10/14/2008 - 15:07
Posted by EarlessDiablo
Good game but can get boring depending on who you are
Wed, 09/17/2008 - 06:45
Posted by yangsin200
used to love the game it was great at first then it got boring when i got online oy it was horrible glithing just for rank i hope they get banned those glicthers thats why i play halo3 and cod 4
Sat, 07/26/2008 - 14:43
Posted by j93afi
okay this game is whack!!!
i hate it COD4 is way better this game sucks its too slow!
and all you do u is cover shoot cover shoot!
its really boring!
halo3 and cod4 are way better than this i give it 3/10
Fri, 06/20/2008 - 12:10
Posted by Confirm4Crit
This game is amazing, and there is a "Refresh" Coming out 6/25, which includes both map packs, 4 $39.99
Pick it up!
Mon, 05/26/2008 - 06:49
Posted by matt96
best game eva
Sun, 04/20/2008 - 05:47
Posted by tayjhdoh
the chainsaw is bloody good
Fri, 04/11/2008 - 05:32
Posted by geek24
i love you cliffy b
Thu, 03/27/2008 - 14:48
Posted by RHumphries
Best game ever no matter what any one says.
Sun, 03/23/2008 - 08:23
Posted by gamerfreakh
Best shooting game ever its soooo much fun BUY IT TODAY seriously BUY IT its the best game of the year and the BEST GAME EVER!!!!
Wed, 03/12/2008 - 16:41
Posted by killer_rabbit20
This game is amazing. Just go buy it. Definatly one of the must haves for the 360 along with Assassins Creed and Condemned 2: Bloodshot.
Thu, 03/06/2008 - 05:55
Posted by D EVIL
Lol @ gears is just like killswitch
i don't think so man....only thing somewhat similair is the type of game i suppose.....nothing else
gears is tripple times better than KS....in every single aspect
KS is a complete insult to the masterpiece that is GOW
nuff said.
Tue, 03/04/2008 - 13:15
Posted by gokanhan56
MLGangster, you make a few good points, but you seem to be forgetting (or ignoring) the fact that Halo 3 is still sixty dollars. I, personally like Halo better, but Gears is still great.
And, besides, a little mindless fun never hurt anybody.
Sat, 02/16/2008 - 04:58
Posted by 666norton420
THIS GAME BLOWS HARD!!
WTF do people like it?
personally, i like halo2/3 MUCH better!
now, that's not cause i don't like thinking, as some would say is the reason i would like H3 over gears, but i'm an avid RTS fan as well!
H3 simply allows for more varied game play.
MLGangster:"Halo 3 requires about as much brainpower as screwing in a lightbulb. u jump, you shoot, you die. boring."
personally, i have about a 10-1 kill/death ratio; it's about tactics, not just shooting!
this is what i hear about gears, yet it's just slow and boring at most times!
don't even get me started on campaign!
WHY WOULD I PLAY CO-OP WITH A BUDDY, JUST TO HAVE THE RETARDED COMP COVER MY ASS HALF THE MISSIONS??!?
...
games are all about payoff!!
with gears, the little bit of intense action is not enough of offset the slow, boring pace of most of the game!
i bought it a week after it launched...
played it for 2 weeks with my friend and alone....
haven't put it back into my 360 yet!
it really isn't that much better than the ps2/xbox original game it ripped off, killswitch!
cliffy b deserves a kick in the nuts for this mess!!
;d
Tue, 01/29/2008 - 14:07
Posted by MLGangster
I dont care what u guys think about halo 3, the fact is gears is the defining 360 game. Halo 3 requires about as much brainpower as screwing in a lightbulb. u jump, you shoot, you die. boring. gears is so much more than that i worship epic and cliff for this. i constantly hear people saying " oh halo is so much better cause it looks better and its fuuun. it is not either of those in any way. it has the LOWEST average frame rate of the three, and is the EXACT SAME THING as halo 2. The only promising things left in the franchise are Halo Wars and the Peter Jakson thing. Anyway, If Gears wasn't the best, then why would it still be $60? Oblivion was amazing too and is now $30. If you buy a 360 and don't get Gears, you are a stone cold freakin idiot.
Sat, 01/26/2008 - 09:57
Posted by dudster
Still one of the best and fastest paced online games ive played (except when you get into a sniper war, those suck and slow the game down). I would still play this game over halo and comes into a tie with COD4 though I consider them diffrent catogories.
Wed, 01/16/2008 - 17:39
Posted by richarde_2001
NHLfanaticSQ...Come play some Gears in the mansion!!...Good fun for all!!!It really doesnt matter what new games come out....or what you play...YOU ALWAYS COME BACK TO GEARS!!...I loved Call of Duty 4...but after 3 hours of online gameplay....I had a frickin headache!!...So much to keep up with in COD4....I mean its a GREAT game....BUT!!!...I always come back to Gears....I am awaiting Gears 2....Imagine the NEXT Gears game!!....
See ya in the mansion...
NHLfanaticSQ...(Rich)
Wed, 12/12/2007 - 00:32
Posted by NASP22
I JUST HOPE EPIC LETS US HAVE A SHOT AT THE P.C VERSION ON THE 360, NOT EVERY ONE HAS THE MONEY TO DROP ON A NEW P.C JUST TO BE UP TO DATE WITH WHAT EVRE OUT THERE. OR BUYING A NEW G-CARD SO THE GAME PLAY CAN BE INJOYED. LIKE THE HDMI CAME OUT FOR THE ELITE THAT WAS A SLAP TO THE FACE FOR ME. NOW SO I CAN GET THE FULL EFFECT OF THE GAME I NEED TO GO TRADE IN MY OLD 360 OR BUY A NEW ONE. THAT SUCK, SO THEY SOULD THINK ABOUT THERE BUYER THEN FROM GOING FROM 360 TO P.C WORLD. THERE DOING GOOD DONT MESS IT UP.
Sun, 11/25/2007 - 12:27
Posted by fug32
this was a great stepping stone for x-box 360 to make awsome games like cod4 and assassin's creed
Sat, 11/24/2007 - 11:13
Posted by FirelanderX
I love the single-player, hate the multiplayer (only reason I don't play this game a lot). It's a good game if you just want to chainsaw someone, but my final verdict would be an 8.5/10
Thu, 11/22/2007 - 10:07
Posted by xAce of Sp4desx
This game is what made me want to get a 360 in the first place. Awesome gameplay and "gore"gess graphics. THe chainsaw was a big part of the game and to my surprised no one has copied that on anyother game. Now some people might hate for this, but I like this game more than I like all the halo games put together (which they are all the same). GoW is probbly one the 360's top 10 best games ever since the launch until December 31st 07.
I give this game "UA" for Unlike Any other